Container for light-unstable solutions



P E. A. RAVENSCROFT ETAL 2 ,294,574

cou'mmnn FOR LIGHT-UNSL'IA'BLE SOLUTIONS Filed July 18, 1941 Fig. 2

Patented Sept. 1, 1942 CONTAINER FOR LIGHT-UNSTABLE SOLUTIONS Edward A. Ravenscroft, Glencoe, and Robert M.

Flint, Waukegan, 111., assignors to Abbott Laboratories, a corporation of Illinois Application July 18, 194;, Serial No. 403,004 3 Claims. (Cl. 215-12) Our invention relates generally to containers for liquids which are unstable in light, and it is particularly directed to hermetically-sealed con-,

tainers in which vitamin-containing solutions used for intravenous injections are supplied.

.A recent development in vitamin therapy has been the incorporation of different vitamins in solutions used for intravenous injections. In this connection, it has been a problem to prevent deterioration of these vitamin-containing solutions since they are very unstable in light, which destroys their efiectiveness and renders them unfit for use. Tests have shown that substantially all light must be excluded from these solutions and that it is not sufiicient to prevent their deterioration to keep them in dark brown bottles and out of bright sunlight as is frequently suflicient in the caseof various light-sensitive solutions. Accordingly, the bottles or containers in which these vitamin-enriched solutions are supplied must be made substantially opaque.

However, the problem is not taken care of by the use of ordinary opaque containers for several reasons. It is the practice to supply solutions for intravenous injections in hermetically-sealed glass bottles or flasks from which they are directly dispensed in making the intravenous injections. Both from the standpoint of fitness of the solutions for use and the safety of the patient receiving an intravenous injection, it is essential that no liquid be injected in which bacteria has had an opportunity to grow and develop due to air leakage through a crack in the container or a leak in the hermetic seal. In all cases, the contents of a container should be checked for sterility before they are used in making an intravenous injection. Also, the supplier should check his'product before it is shipped to the hospitals and other consumers. Because of the fact that the containers must remain hermetically sealed until the time that they are to be con-- nected into the intravenous injection set-up, it is not possible to withdraw portions of the contents from time to time to inspect them. Accordingly, heretofore, any air leakage with subsequent bacteria growth has been detected by holding the clear glass containers up to the light to determine whether the solutions therein have remained clear or whether they have become cloudy, indicating bacteria growth and leakage. However, it will be seen that if the solutions are hermetically sealed in a completely opaque container,

such visual examination of the contents is not possible unless windows are provided in the opaque light shield over the container, which may be opened from time to time.

A second and an important reason for requiring windows in the opaque coating of the containers adapted to be opened and closed from time to time, is that as the contents of the containers are dispensed in intravenous injections, which may take an hour or more in time, it is necessary for the nurse or assistant to observe the amount of the contents of the container which has been utilized as the injection proceeds. In order to reduce the possibility of the vitamincontaining solution deteriorating during the substantial period required for an intravenous injection, it is necessary that the container must be completely opaque during most of the time and that light be allowed to enteronly at the intervals when it is necessary to check the rate at which the contents are being dispensed. Ac cordingly, the windows provided in the opaque coatings on the containers must be of a type that can be readily opened and closed a number of times.

The object of our invention, generally stated, is the provision of opaque containers for hermetically-sealed light-unstable liquids from which substantially all light must be excluded, which have windows adapted to be readily opened and closed a number of times so as to permit convenient visual inspection of the contents at necessary intervals. Although the containers of this invention are particularly adapted for the vitamin-containing solutions used in intravenous injections, it will be understood that they may also be used to advantage for other solutions which contain light-sensitive or lightunstable substances.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of our invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a container filled with a light-unstable liquid, which has been capped and hermetically sealed, and which has a strip of tape placed over the scale graduation on one side thereof prior to being covered with an opaque coating in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the container shown in Fig. 1 with another strip of tape placed diametrically opposite to the piece placed over the .scale graduations as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view showing the disposition and manner in which the filled container of Figs. 1

and 2, after being made opaque, is used in connection with an intravenous injection set-up;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the graduated window provided in the opaque surface of the container shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 sowing the window provided 'in the opaque surface of the container diametrically opposite to the window shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view line 6-8 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 1--| of Fig. 3, showing the opaquecoating taken on in exaggerated proportion. I

In Figs. 1 and 2 a clear, transparent glass bottle I is shown which is representative of the type of container in which solutions for intravenous injections are supplied. The particular bottles I 0 which are shown are intended to contain 500 cc. of solution and are graduated on one side so that the amount of solution introduced into the bottles on filling the same may be measured, while the amount of the solutions withdrawn from the bottles when supported in an inverted position for intravenous injections, as shown in Fig. 3, may also be measured. A center scale marking H is integrally formed on the side of the bottle ID, as shown in Fig. 1, which is common to two sets of graduations or scale markings provided on opposite sides thereof. The left-hand set of graduations in Fig. 1 are right side up and are used to measure the contents of the container l0 as it is filled with the solution. The right-hand set of scale markings or graduations in Fig. 1 are upside down and serve to measure the amount of the contents which are withdrawn from the containers when supported in an inverted position for an intra-- venous injection as shown in Fig. 3.

In preparation. the containers H! are first filled with the desired type of solution to the 500 cc. mark as indicated by the liquid level line in Figs. 1 and 2. The mouths of the containers I0 are then hermetically sealed and capped with the caps 11. After the sealing and capping operation, the contents of each of the containers H) are sterilized by heating at elevated temperature. The sterilization may be conveniently carried out in autoclaves with steam under sufficient pressure to give the desired temperature.

In order to exclude light from the sterilized contents in the containers l0, they are now Iblackened or made opaque. A pair of strips of adhesive tape l and I6, preferably, of the pressure sensitive type such as is sold under the proprietary name Scotch tape, are placed on the sides of the containers ID in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The adhesive material on this type of tape is non-setting and permits a piece thereof to be easily applied and removed a number of times. The pieces of tape l5 are placed flatwise over the scales ll of each container I 0, while the pieces of tape it are placed flatwise on the side of the containers Ill diametrically opposite to the pieces of tape IS. A light-impervious opaque coating is now applied over the entire exposed surfaces of each of the containers ID as indicated at l8 in Figs. 3 and '7 of the drawing. The bottoms of the containers ID are coated as well as the sides thereof. The tape strips l5 and I6, as well as the caps IT, may also be coated, since ordinarily it will be more convenient to coat the entire areas of the contain-v ers l0 rather than omit the coating from any particular areas which are already opaque. As

illustrated in Fig. '7, the strips l5 and I6 prevent the portions of the container surface thereunderneath and covered thereby from being covered with the opaque coating l8. 7

Various opaque coatings may be used, but we have found that black enamel or lacquer serves very satisfactorily as an opaque coating. The enamel or opaque coating may be applied to the containers in by spraying, dipping, or by means of a brush, whichever is the more convenient.

Before shipping out the containers to hospitals or other users of the solutions for intravenous injections, it is necessary that they be held for observation for a period of a week or more in order to determine whether or not any bacteria growth or decomposition of the contents has occurred, since if there is a crack in the containers 10 or a leak in the seals, air will be admitted to the containers and bacteria will start to grow in the sterile contents. Such a growth of bacteria or decomposition of the-contents may be detected by the cloudy appearance of the solutions which developed. Accordingly, at the end of a sufiicient period, for example two weeks, after the containers l 0 have been filled and sterilized, the strips l5 and I6 are partially removed or lifted from the sides of .the containers 10 so as to rovide windows in the opaque coating ll through which the contents of the containers may be inspected. After being thus checked, the strips 15 and I 8 are replaced flatwise in their original positions against the sides of the containers l0, and the containers I 0 are now ready for shipment to the consumer.

It will be ap arent'that the foregoing preparation of the containers ID for shipment may be varied in respect to certain details. For ex ample, the containers I0 may have the strips of tape l5 and i8 and the opaque coating or enamel l8 applied thereto before they are filled with solution. The measured amount of solution is then introduced into each of the blackened containers l0 and they are hermetically sealed and capped as before. The contents of the containcm H! are then sterilized at elevatedtemperatures, and then held on probation for a checkingperiod of two weeks or more before shipment. The contents are checked for deterioration at the end of the two weeks period, or whatever the period may be, by partly pulling away the strips I5 and I6 and inspecting the contents through the windows thus provided. When the containers l0 are thus coated or blackened prior to sterilization, an opaque coating material or enamel should be usedwhich will withstand both the temperature and steam to which the containers I0 must be subjected in sterilization. This is important, since all types of enamels will not withstand these conditions of temperature and steam without cracking or chipping. However, there are an ample number of coating materials available which will satisfactorily withstand these conditions.

In another modified method of filling and pre- I l and I6 and the opaque coatingare applied as before.

Before the contents of any one of the containers II) are used for an intravenous injection, they should be again checked for deterioration by lifting the strips and I6 so as to provide windows for looking through the contents. The chances of finding a container with deteriorated contents at this time will be very small but the check should be made in the interest of the utmost care and caution. After this final check for deterioration of the contents of the container, the container is ready to be used in an intravenous injection set-up. The hermetic seal is broken and the cap I1 is removed and replaced with a special form of cap'25 (Fig. 3) through which the contents of the container [0 may be withdrawn. The cap 25 has an air inlet valve 26 projecting upwardly from the right-hand side thereof through which air may be drawn into the container ID to replace the dispensed contents, and has a down wardly projecting nipple 21 provided on the lefthand side of the cap thru which the contents may be withdrawn. A rubber hose 28, which connects with the injection needle to be inserted in the patient receiving the intravenous injection with the container I0, is pushed over the nipple 21 for connection therewith, as shown. The container I0 is supported in an inverted position in the intravenous injection set-up as shown in'Fig. 3. A flexible metallic band 30 carrying a bale or handle 3| is-fastened around the bottom of the container I0 between the circumferential spacedapart beads'32 and 33 provided therefor, and the container I0 is hung up by the bale 3| from a projecting support arm 34.

The intravenous injection may now be proceeded with. In case the vitamin-containing or other solution in the container '10 is particularly unstable in light, and in case it is necessary for the injection to extend over a lengthy period of time, the removable strips l5 and I6 should be kept down in place as much as possible in order to reduce to a minimum the opportunity for exposure of the contents to light. The strips I5 and I6 may be lifted from time to time, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, during the intravenous injection so that the amount of the solution which has been withdrawn may be checked by following the sinking liquid level on the left-hand graduations (Figs. 3 and 4). As stated, the adhesive material on the inner sides of the strips of tape l5 and i6 should be of a character that permits these strips to be replaced with good adhesion to the glass surface of the containers ill a number of times. When the greater part of the solution has been dispensed from the container Ill, it will be convenient to lift the strips i5 and I6 up from their lower ends instead of pulling them down from their upper ends as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. In each case. after determining the amount of the contents which have been withdrawn, the pieces of tape may again be relaid flatwise in place to close the uncoated window areas.

In order to make the lifting and replacing of the strips of tape l5 and I6 more convenient,

they may be turned under at opposite ends so as to provide non-sticky tabs 35 as shown in exaggerated proportions -of Fig. 6 of the drawing.

The ends of the pieces of tape may be pulled up slightly during the application of the opaque coating or lacquer so that when the strips are fully in place for their whole length there will be no uncoated parts of the container surface exposed.

Similar tabs 35 are shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing.

. uncoated areas.

this connection may be readily eliminated by re- Various other modifications of the invention may be made. On referring to Fig. '7 of the drawing, it will be seen that the opaque coating l8 extends only up to the edges of the piece of tape 15. Thus, since the pieces of tape l5 and I6 were in place on the sides'of the container l0 before it was coated or blackened, the outlines and areas of the uncoated windows left in the surface ofthe container ID will corespond exactly to the outlines and areas of the respective pieces of tape l5 and I6. Accordingly, when the strips l5 and I8 have been partially lifted, or in case they have been entirely removed, some care will be required in replacing them in their former positions so as to completely close the windows or Any objection or difficulty in placing the original strips of tape l5 and I6 by wider pieces which are also opaque. When this is done, there will be no difflculty or inconven-' ience in replacing the strips so as to completely close the windows in the opaque coating.

Since certain further changes and modifications may be made in our invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof, it is intended that all matters described hereinbefore, or shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. A hermetically sealed container for protecting light-unstable liquids contained therein from exposure to light while permitting visual inspection thereof from time to time, which comprises, a glass bottle, a hermetic seal closing the neck of said bottle, a strip of light-impervious tape, which is coated on one side with a non-setting, pressure sensitive, adhesive, adhesively aflixed to one side of said bottle, and a light-impermeable coating covering the outer surface of the container except for the area therof which is covered by said strip of tape, said strip of -tape being removable and replaceable so as to provide a recloseable window in said opaque coating to permit examination of the contents of said bottle.

2. A hermetically sealed container for pro-. tecting light-unstable liquids contained therein from exposure to light while permitting visual inspection thereof from time to time, which comprises, a glass bottle, a hermetic seal closing the areas thereof which are covered by said strips of' tape, said strips of tape being removable and replaceable so as to provide opposed, reclosable' windows in said coating which permits looking through the bottle and visual xamination of the contents thereof.

3. A hermetically sealed container for protecting light-unstable solutions contained therein from exposure to light while permitting visual inspection thereof from time to time, and from which said solutions may be dispensed for intravenous injections, which comprises, a glass bottle having graduations on a side thereof for measuring the amount of said solution which has been drawn off from said bottle, a hermetic seal closing the neck of said bottle, a strip of light-impervious tape, which is coated on one side with a said strips of tape so as' to shut out substantially all light from the interior of the bottle; said strips of tape being removable and replaceable so as to permit looking through the bottle from side to side for visual examination of said solutions from time to time, and for following on said scale the rate at which the contents of the bottle are dispensed.

EDWARD A. RAYENSCROFI. ROBERT M. FLINT. 

